Arsenal will not host their traditional Emirates Cup pre-season tournament next summer because of the London Olympics, the club said today.

The Games are set to run from July 27 to August 12, leaving little window for the Gunners to host the weekend event ahead of the start of the new Barclays Premier League campaign.

Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis said: "Although we are disappointed that we cannot stage the Emirates Cup in 2012, we completely understand and accept the situation.

"Over 100,000 people have attended the Emirates Cup each year since we introduced the competition in 2007, and this would have only added to the demands on London's infrastructure during the Olympics.

"Of course, we would have preferred the Emirates Cup to have been staged in 2012, but we completely respect the situation and like everyone, are fully supportive of, and looking forward to a successful London 2012 Olympic Games.

"We are already planning ahead to bring three high profile clubs to Emirates Stadium for 2013."

Arsenal embarked on a first major overseas tour to the Far East last summer, which they could do again in 2012.

"We are looking at a number of options. The calendar is complex, but we hope to be able to confirm our plans soon," Gazidis said.